The Historic Columbia River Highway News is your source for updates and information regarding efforts to remember, restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail--a world class adventure from Portland to The Dalles.

Mitchell Point Tunnel

East Entrance

"There is but one Columbia River Gorge [that] God put into this comparatively short space, [with] so many beautiful waterfalls, canyons, cliffs and mountain domes." Visitors "will wonder at its wild grandure [sic] when once it is made accessable [sic] by this great highway."

Sam Lancaster, Historic HIghway Builder

Get Involved in the Preservation of the Historic

Columbia River Highway

Join us at the next Historic Columbia River HIghway Advisory Committee meeting in The Dalles. We will be meeting at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.

Thanks to funding from a National Scenic Byway Grant, Paul Platosh of Platosh Design, in collaboration with professor Jason Resch and students from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, designed a poster depicting the

Historic Highway's tag line, "Remember, Restore and Reconnect." Set against iconic images depicting scenes along the Highway is now available.

Oregon Parks and Recreation, USFS Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Oregon Department of Transportation have recently completed the first Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail Plan with the assistance of Quatrefoil Associates and their principal Landscape Architect, Brian Bainnson. On Jan. 26, the Oregon Parks Commission approved the plan -- making this year-long effort official. This comprehensive plan lays out the State Trail from Wyeth to Hood River in detail.

The proposed trail layout takes full advantage of the Gorge's spectacular beauty and considers the future visitor's experience along the trail. With this plan in place, the agencies now have a clearer understanding of costs and design challenges along with excellent opportunities for new trailheads, overlooks and trail amenities such as camping. Check out the State Trail Plan. It will be posted on the web site soon. We guarantee you will be inspired to go for a hike in the Gorge.

East Mitchell Point Plan

In conjunction with the State Trail Plan, the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway undertook a refinement plan for the east side of Mitchell Point. This planning exercise includes an overlook near the original location of the west portal of the Mitchell Point Tunnel, proposed quarry restoration. With the quarry floor and three other areas to the northeast, all of the material from the tunnel could be accommodated on site, if needed. An area currently infested with Scotch broom and poison oak was also noted for restoration with native species. This plan was funded by a grant from the Cycle Oregon Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation.

Thanks to the Oregon Pedestrian Bicycle Committee

The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee would like to extend a sincere thank you to Oregon's Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee who recently recognized the Historic Highway State Trail by helping us fund the critical connection between Warrendale's John B. Yeon State Park Trailhead and Moffett Creek.

This 1.6 mile trail connection is the missing link between Troutdale and Cascade Locks and points beyond. The Oregon Pedestrian Bicycle Committee's grant of $600,000 will be pooled with $3.4 million Forest Highway Enhancement Funds.

The project is awaiting the results of geo-technical evaluations. Once this step is complete, ODOT engineers will be able to hone in on a construction cost estimate. Construction will start this fall with completion planned for Summer 2012.

Starvation Creek to Hole-in-the Wall Falls Trail Plan

Kicks Off

The next section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail will enter the design phase this spring.This trail segment will provide enhanced access to the Mt. Defiance Trail and will allow Gorge visitors to experience the Historic Highway and view two beautiful waterfalls.

The new trail will head west out of the Starvation Creek Trailhead parking area following historic pavement past Cabin Creek Falls and terminate at the historic and mysterious Hole-in-the-Wall Falls. Warren Creek Falls was diverted in the 1930s to a "hole-in-wall." We are not sure the exact motives for this action and we would love to hear your theory.

Happenings along the Historic Highway

In 2010, the Friends of the Historic Highway volunteered over 800 hours through the State Parks Adopt-A-Park Program. Three work parties are scheduled for this spring on March 26 (near Bonneville Dam), June 25 (Mitchell Point) and August 27 (Mitchell Point).For more information or to participate contact Jeanette at FHCRH@comcast.net

Make history! Sign up for the Gorge Ride on June 11.Registration is open and volunteers are always needed.For more information, visit Gorge Ride

The second annual Friends-sponsored antique auto tour through the Mosier Twin Tunnels will be held July 9.Owners of antique cars and potential passengers should contact FHCRH@comcast.net

Maryhill's Founders Day features the Historic Highway

On May 21, 2010, Dr. Robert Hadlow, David Sell and George Fekaris will present a lecture and slide presentation of the history of the Historic Highway at Maryhill Museum. For more information check out the Museum'sweb site

Happy Birthday Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area

This year the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area celebrates it 25th anniversary. In the quarter century since, the Act has created clear successes including the restoration and reconnection of the Historic Columbia River Highway.We look forward to the next 25 years.